Peterborough Lions 28 – Lichfield 13
Lichfield RUFC made their first journey to Peterborough, but came back without the victory.
The Myrtle Greens had won the first encounter at Cooke Fields against a very different team, but Peterborough’s physicality was evident right from the start as the clearance from the kick off was gathered by the home wing and tacklers were left languishing as he powered his way to the try line in two minutes.
The extras were added, and Lichfield were trailing without having left their half.
Peterborough were to soon see the intensity that had led the city side to victories in previous weeks, as they pulled the home defence around. The hosts tried their best to slow every ruck down and were penalised several times before the referee sin binned the blind side flanker for too many infringements. Luke Massey converted the penalty and would double this with 18 minutes gone.
It seemed that Lichfield had found their rhythm but were lacking the final accuracy to really make the hosts pay.
It was another kick return break from the home wing that saw Peterborough cross again as Lichfield failed to deal with his power and he was able to pass inside to support. The try was again converted, and play continued in the middle of the park.
It was a set piece from midfield that saw Peterborough break the first line and show good continuity and interplay to score their third try under the posts. The try was again converted and the home side closed out the half leading 21-6.
The second half was very much a stalemate as both defences nullified attacks. Lichfield had the greater possession and needed to keep the tempo high, but in a pitch that was deteriorating, they struggled to convert the chances they created.
It was to be Peterborough who scored the decisive try, as once again a set piece play saw their number 8 get on the end of neat play to score under the posts.
With the hosts leading 28-6, Lichfield continued to chase the game and got their rewards with a well taken try by Wootton which Massey converted.
Lichfield: Gabbitass, Clarke, Poole, Turner, Squire, Burton (capt), Milner, Southern; Cotterhill, L Massey, Wootton, G Massey, Maxwell-Keys, Wedgwood, J Massey. Subs: Taplin, Milner and Cokayne.
